Substitute Teacher, K-12
Salary

The average rate for a Substitute Teacher, K-12 is $11.38 per hour. People in this job generally don't have more than 20 years' experience. Pay for this job does not change much by experience, with the most experienced earning only a bit more than the least.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

Find Out Exactly What You Should Be Paid

Job Description for Substitute Teacher, K-12

A substitute teacher (K-12) plays a key roll in helping any school or school district function properly. Schools must always have adult supervision for the students in their classrooms, and there will always be times when teachers are sidelined due to illness or emergencies. Schools then call upon the substitute teacher to handle classes, follow available lesson plans, generally oversee the classroom, and help maintain an orderly educational environment.

Substitute teachers will typically have to be fairly flexible in their availability. While sometimes a school or school district will be able to plan for a teacher's absence, many times such occurrences are last-minute emergencies. In those circumstances, when called upon, the substitute should do everything within his or her power to prepare for teaching within a small window of time. This can include reviewing the class size, any lesson plans from the teacher or principal, and any class reports regarding special needs or requirements of students the substitute will interact with. The substitute teacher should be fully aware of all school or school district rules regarding teaching operations, methodologies, and disciplines and follow those guidelines. Typically, a substitute will also need to have excellent skills with handling large groups of children and young people, as well as excellent communications skills and an outgoing personality.

The job requirements for substitute teachers vary by schools and areas. While some school districts only require a bachelor's degree, many now will only consider substitute candidates who hold accredited teaching certificates. For a K-12 substitute (who will potentially work with an age range of 5 through 18), that may include elementary or secondary education training and certification. Many graduates in the education field will work as substitutes until a school or district they prefer has a permanent opening available. Substitutes usually have no set days, but when called upon, they should expect to work starting early mornings and throughout the school day in a classroom environment.

Substitute Teacher, K-12 Tasks

Manage the classroom environment and enforce the teacher's rules.

Complete a daily report for the teacher upon his/her return.

Implement teacher lesson plans and assign classwork and homework according to teachers' instructions.

Substitute Teacher, K-12 Job Listings

Search for more jobs:

This chart shows the most popular skills for this job and what effect each skill has on pay.

Pay by Experience Level for Substitute Teacher, K-12

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

Substitute Teacher, K-12 Reviews

What is it like working as a Substitute Teacher, K-12?

Substitute Teacher, K-12 in New York:

"Working as a substitute teacher is good."

Pros: I like to learn more about school missions. Furthermore, my pay rate depends on the hours I work.

Cons: As a substitute teacher, students walk over you since the full time teacher is out.

Substitute Teacher, K-12 in Van Buren:

"Enjoying Insights of Young People."

Pros: What I like most is how refreshing it is to watch the young people and their insights about life, experiences.

Cons: Every once in a while there is one in the crowd who is disruptive.

What do you wish you knew about your job when you first started out?

Substitute Teacher, K-12 in Pittsburgh:

Be friendly but firm. Follow the teacher's schedule and plans as well as you can. Show confidence in yourself that you know what you are doing (even when you don't). Check to make sure that you have everything you need before the students arrive.